CALGARY – With high temperatures in the forecast throughout the province, Alberta Health Services is warning people to protect themselves from the risk West Nile virus.
“With exposure to mosquitoes comes risk of West Nile virus,” said Medical Officer of Health for the Calgary Zone Dr. Judy MacDonald. “Because some mosquitoes carry West Nile virus, it’s important to avoid being bitten at all.”
Health officials have release a series of tips to help people avoid bites:
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- Wear a long-sleeved, light-coloured shirt, pants, and a hat.
- Use insect repellent with DEET.
- Consider staying indoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
“These steps can make it harder for mosquitoes to find you,” says Dr. MacDonald.
After being bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus, humans can develop West Nile Non-Neurological Syndrome (formerly known as West Nile fever) or the more serious West Nile Neurological Syndrome.
Symptoms of Non-Neurological Syndrome include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin rash, swollen glands and headache.
For those individuals who do develop Neurological Syndrome, symptoms can be much more severe, including tremors, drowsiness, confusion, swallowing problems, high fever, unconsciousness, paralysis and even death.
From 2003 to 2014, 680 cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in Alberta, 622 of which were acquired here in the province.
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